Friday, September 30, 2005
Local GR sports
This Chimes article explains the current state of minor league sports teams in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It tells how the Griffins, Rampage, and Whitecaps are doing in their seasons, or were doing in their seasons (article was written 2/20). The author tells that the only team in Grand Rapids sports that is doing above average is the Griffins. The others, Rampage and Whitecaps, are both going flat after having great seasons in the near past. Also a minor league soccer team, the Edge, still exist despite low numbers. The history of minor league sports in this city is also discussed. It shows that while some teams have lasted a long time, others have not been so fortunate. The Hoops, a minor league basketball team, lasted fourteen seasons before collapsing because of low interest and even lower sponsorship. A pro volleyball team, the Grand Rapids Force, lasted only two seasons before ending. Overall this article gives a background of minor league sports in Grand Rapids and their current condition.
This article starts off with nothing but compliments for our city, but they do not last as the author gets to his subject matter. It seems the only positive thing he has to say about our sports concerns the Griffins. He goes on to tear apart all the other local sports Grand Rapids has, whether they are having below average seasons or ran out of interest. It is hard to tell whether this article is meant to give a history of our sports or is meant to inform readers about local sports teams and raise interest for them. I like the way the author went about explaining the now defunct basketball and volleyball teams. He did not simply say they were a failure, he explained the relationship with their respective leagues and what caused the end of them. I enjoyed this article very much maybe because it was about sports, but I think it could have used a conclusion paragraph to wrap things up.